Frederick County

Community Food Drive

October 1 - 25, 2020

In conjunction with the Maryland Governor's "Day to Serve" Proclamation, we are sponsoring a "Frederick County Food Drive 2020" to help those in need of food during these difficult times. Together we can make a difference!

Sponsored by: The Frederick Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; the Frederick Church; the Frederick Presbyterian Church; Hood College; Myersville Mount Zion United Methodist Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick.

Right now there are many needs in Frederick County. Here are some ways you can help:

  1. Purchase and donate non-perishable food or other needed items.

Suggested needs are canned fruits and vegetables, canned chicken, chili, and tuna fish, canned soup, cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter. The complete list of needed items is below.

  1. Distribute flyers in your neighborhood and collect donations.

Choose when and how you want to collect donations (such as a box on your front porch, or you pick-up on a chosen day, like "Scouting for Food"). Fill out, print out and distribute flyers (Click here for flyer) in your neighborhood and/or workplace. Collect the donations and drop off anytime at the Frederick Food Bank or on Saturday, October 10, between 10 a.m. and noon, drop off at the Frederick Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  1. Post flyers on social media and encourage others to get involved.

Whether friends donate here in Frederick County or far across the country, many people across the country can use a little help right now! (Click here for Social Media Post)

  1. Deliver the donations you have collected, or ask for donations to be picked up.

"Contactless" drop-off is available at several locations. (See "Drop-off Locations" tab for addresses and maps):

  • Frederick Food Bank: From All Saints Street, turn right into the parking lot beside the Food Bank, and then go up the stairs to the back of the building and you'll find the blue donation bins. Drop off anytime!

  • The Myersville Mount Zion United Methodist Church: A collection box is by the door by the black railing, facing the parking lot.

If you need someone to pickup your donations, you can text/call 301-639-9219, or fill out the "sign up" form. Give your first name and address, including city. We will pick up between October 8 and 11. If possible, text a picture of where you leave the donation (front porch/chair/by mailbox). Write "Food Bank" on the bag to be picked up. Donations can be picked up anywhere in Frederick County!

  1. Make a "virtual" donation online through the Frederick Food Bank's partner, "Friends For Neighborhood Progress" at: friendsfnp.org/donate.htm

Note "Food Bank" on your check/donation.

  1. Volunteer at the Food Bank or Soup Kitchen!

Click on the link below for more information:

The Frederick Community Action Agency has been giving out as much as 1,000 pounds of food per week to people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic that left thousands jobless and in need of food security, said Chris Bard, supervisor of food and nutrition services for the food bank.

The food bank does food drops Monday through Friday throughout the city that serve anyone who is in need, Bard said. People can also access the pantry to get food they need at the community action agency, so long as they are a Frederick County resident, Bard said.

Along with the increased need for food in the community, the food bank also is operating at a smaller supply than normal due to several of its food drives either being on hold or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. A large food drive put on by the post office was canceled, for instance, Bard said.

So the food supply is depleting quickly, and the food bank is asking for donations.

"Anything out of the kindness of people's hearts, we will definitely accept," Bard said.

FCAA Food Bank currently needs

  • Cereal

  • Canned Meat (tuna, stews, chilis, etc.)

  • Bread

  • Toilet paper

  • Pasta

  • Mac and cheese

  • Rice a Roni

  • Instant mashed potatoes

  • Spaghetti sauce

  • Canned fruit

  • Canned vegetables

  • Canned soup

  • Canned beans

  • Single-serve containers of food (easy mac, fruit cups, pop-top canned items, single-serve packets of oatmeal/cereal)

  • Rice

  • Household cleaners and cleaning supplies

  • Paper items such as tissues, paper plates, napkins, paper towels

  • Peanut butter

  • Water

  • Shelf-stable milk

  • Juice

  • Granola bars/single-serve snacks

  • Coffee

  • Non-refrigerated fruit cups

Also, the FCAA soup kitchen is operating on a carryout basis daily from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Serving 150 meals each evening, FCAA is looking for local restaurants and caterers to aid in the preparation of those prepackaged meals. The soup kitchen is also in need of the following supplies:

  • Paper lunch bags

  • Plastic sandwich bags

  • Granola bars

  • Fruit cups, pudding cups, non-refrigerated Jell-O cups

  • Small bottled waters

  • Individually wrapped cookies or pastries

  • Single-serve drinks, soda, tea, juice

  • Single-serve chips or crackers

  • Packets of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise

  • Individually wrapped spoons, forks and knives

How to donate

No contact donation drop-off is available at 14 E. All Saints Street. Residents can pull into the parking lot and drop their donations off in one of the large blue bins in the loading dock.

Monetary donations may be contributed through Friends for Neighborhood Progress (make a note for “FOODBANK”). FCAA supports any donations, however, wants to ensure the safety of its donors. Residents are encouraged to only pick up items for donations during their routine trips to stores to reduce exposure.